10 Things To Do This May Bank Holiday
While we love a Bank Holiday weekend, it can be stressful to figure out how to make the most of it. For those looking for things to do on May bank holiday, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to find something to do on a Saturday or find a fun activity to do on the Monday, here’s some brilliant ideas to get your long weekend plans into motion.
What is a Bank Holiday?
A bank holiday in the UK is similar to a public holiday where many workplaces shut up shop for the day to celebrate an occasion – can you guess which workplaces this may be? If you said banks, you are correct. As many businesses are unable to operate without the banks being open, they will close for the day too.
The UK has two May bank holidays including a spring bank holiday. These often take place on a Monday meaning a three day weekend. This is why many restaurants, pubs and bars will host bank holiday events.
When are the Bank Holidays 2023?
In 2023, May has three bank holiday days because of the King’s Coronation – thank you Charles! The bank holiday dates include:
- May 1st: Early May bank holiday.
- May 8th: King Charles III Coronation.
- May 29th: Spring bank holiday.
- August 28th: Summer bank holiday.
Good Friday in April, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are classed as common law public holidays but many refer to them as bank holidays.
1. Go On a Picnic
With three May bank holiday events and a summer bank holiday, this calls for getting out of the house. A picnic is a perfect activity to do with all the family, your children, your partner or even your best friends.
Have each person bring something along and meet at your local park in London or across the UK. With many green spaces free to enter, it’s a cost-effective way to make the most of the summer sun, enjoy fresh air and play some games.
2. Visit Food Stalls
Another free activity to do on a bank holiday weekend is visit food stalls at the many markets around London or in your local town. You can taste some spectacular food from all different cuisines when at a food market. It may even inspire you to make a feast for your family or friends over the long weekend.
3. Book a Spa Treatment
What better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than at a day spa? Make the most of the bank holiday weekend by treating yourself to a spa treatment. There are many day spas around London if you’d like to spend a little money on yourself, or you can find a great massage for an affordable price.
4. Eat Out
Leave the cooking utensils in the cupboard and wine and dine at the many spectacular restaurants around London. Discover new places or try that pub you came across on TikTok – either way, who could say no to good food?
5. Visit a Museum
The May bank holiday is a great time to visit the many museums around London. These attractions are great family fun as many museums cater to families of all ages and host May bank holiday events. The best part of museums? Many of them have free entry, with a cost to only certain exhibitions.
Visiting a museum is also an exciting way to learn and discover history and events from around the world.
6. Go on a Pub Crawl
Make the most of the three day weekend by indulging in a fun pub crawl with friends. While you may have a sore head, you do have the extra day to recover! A pub crawl can be a day activity where you soak up the sunshine in a beer garden or you can take on the night hopping around your local town or a new area.
A pub crawl is an exciting way to meet new people, play some games, catch up with friends and have a drink or two.
7. Attend a Paint and Sip Session
If arts & crafts is your jam, paint and sip events in London could be exactly what you need to do this May bank holiday. Pinot & Picasso hosts guided painting workshops where no talent is necessary and fun is guaranteed.
In just two hours, you will transform a blank canvas to a colourful masterpiece, thanks to the help of our fun local artists. You can get arty while you party at Pinot & Picasso where you can buy alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to enjoy through your session.
8. Visit a British Beach
For the Spring bank holiday weekend, head out of the city and to the water. With many coastal towns with stunning water views and beaches, it’s the best way to cool off in the summer. Make it a beach day trip or a getaway for the three day weekend. You’ll be sure to be relaxed coming as you head into another four day working week. Just don’t forget to apply some sunscreen!
9. Go Swimming in a Lido
If you’d rather stay local, there are plenty of lidos and swimming ponds for you to paddle around during the long weekend. Swimming in a lido allows you the same luxury as a beach – being able to cool off in the summer.
You also have the ability to book ahead for a swim as many visitors will be thinking of doing the same thing. London is lucky to have many water options for swimming, including lidos and natural ponds.
10. Visit a Zoo
Bank holidays with the family are best spent out of the house and exploring. Get up close and personal with exciting creatures when you go to a zoo. With animals of all shapes and sizes, a day out at the zoo is great fun, especially for the little ones – they may even have a new favourite animal after your trip. It can also be an educational experience too – double points!
Find a Pinot & Picasso Studio Near You!
Forget seeing the sights. Find your local Pinot & Picasso studio today and make your bank holidays extra special with a masterpiece to show off. Get ready to sip, dip, splash, slosh when you book a paint and sip session in London.
